Watertown woman sentenced to prison for heroin sale try

A Watertown woman was sentenced Tuesday in Jefferson County Court to up to six years in state prison for trying to sell heroin in December.

Damion R. Steele, 44, address not available, also was ordered to undergo three years of additional supervision upon her release from prison after a July 10 guilty plea to third-degree attempted criminal sale of a controlled substance. She admitted that she tried to sell the drug within the county Dec. 19.

Judge Kim H. Martusewicz mandated that her sentence be served in the prison systems Willard Drug Treatment Program. If an inmate completes the 90-day program, he or she serves the remainder of his or her sentence under parole supervision. She was sentenced as a second felony offender, having been convicted in 2009 in County Court of fourth-degree grand larceny.

In other court activity:

Desiree L. Smith, 23, whose last known address was 327 Walker Ave., Apt. C, was sentenced to an unspecified amount of time served at the Metro-Jefferson Public Safety Building and five years probation after a July 2 guilty plea to third-degree attempted criminal sale of a controlled substance. She admitted trying to sell heroin Dec. 12 in Watertown.

Michael A. Lowe, 31, Carthage, was sentenced to time served at the PSB and five years probation after pleading guilty June 25 to third-degree burglary, fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property and second-degree criminal trespassing. He was accused of breaking into the Community Bank branch on Route 3 in Black River after police found him hiding in a closet in the bank. He also was ordered to pay $2,500 in restitution.

Kevin F. Brennan, 56, Watertown, was sentenced to five years probation after a June 26 guilty plea to second-degree forgery. He was accused in April of making a false entry on a prescription form while acting as a nurse practitioner for the Mercy Primary Care Clinic. Police said Mr. Brennan falsely completed the prescription to obtain 48 Percocet pills May 2, 2012.

Jason J. Love, 34, Evans Mills, was sentenced to five years probation after pleading guilty June 14 to second-degree attempted criminal possession of a weapon, first-degree attempted menacing of a police officer and second-degree harassment. He admitted that on Oct. 25 at his former residence at 26896 Goulds Corners Road, town of LeRay, he tried to possess a loaded firearm with the intent to use it unlawfully against another.

He also admitted he tried to place a sheriffs deputy in fear of injury by pointing the firearm at him the same day.

He further admitted that, during an argument with his wife, Remi Y., he subjected her to unwanted physical contact. The domestic disputed escalated into a five-hour standoff during which Mr. Love, who was wearing tactical gear, exchanged words with officers, then barricaded himself in the house. Police said at the time that Mr. Love discharged his weapon three times, although no one was injured.

Randy S. Kraft, 41, Hammond, was sentenced to five years probation after June 25 guilty pleas to third-degree attempted arson and third-degree criminal trespassing. He was accused of entering Vitos Gourmet sandwich shop, 3 Public Square, about 8 p.m. May 9 and trying to start a fire by pouring kerosene in the kitchen near a stove that had an open flame. The kerosene did not ignite a fire.

Mr. Kraft told police that he did not mean to hurt anyone and that he wanted to send a message to the owner, Anthony V. Tarzia. Mr. Kraft had been dismissed from his job at the sandwich shop the week before the incident. After pouring the kerosene, he drove to Mr. Tarzias house and told him what he had done, according to the deposition he gave police. His probation supervision will be transferred to St. Lawrence County.

Daniel J. Longnecker, 27, of 24287 Boot Jack Hill Road, Felts Mills, pleaded guilty to four counts of fourth-degree criminal mischief and single counts of fourth-degree attempted grand larceny, reckless driving and resisting arrest. He admitted that on Oct. 27, he tried to steal a 2009 Mercury Mariner from a location on Fort Drum. He also admitted driving the vehicle recklessly in the towns of LeRay and Pamelia.

He further admitted that on the same day, he damaged windshield wipers on a Chevrolet Blazer in the town of Pamelia and damaged a Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck at the state police barracks in the town and a Subaru in a motel parking lot on Route 342. He also damaged a door at a residence on Route 37 in the town and ran from police who were trying to apprehend him.

He is expected to be sentenced Sept. 9 to three years probation and be ordered to perform 200 hours of community service. He also will have to pay $1,085 in restitution upfront, with an additional $16,220 in restitution ordered in the form of a civil judgment.

Christopher J. Beardmore, 23, of 623 Burlington St., pleaded guilty to second-degree criminal contempt, second-degree reckless endangerment, leaving the scene of a property-damage accident and second-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. He admitted that on May 10 on Duffy Street, his vehicle rear-ended a vehicle in which Courtney L. Jobson was a passenger, violating an order of protection she held against him. He also admitted that he drove away from the scene and was driving while his drivers license was suspended or revoked. He is expected to be sentenced Oct. 18 to three years probation and be ordered to perform 50 hours of community service. He also will be ordered to pay $908 in restitution.

Shaymus B. Drake, 20, Carthage, was arraigned on counts of third- and fourth-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance, as well as third- and fifth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance. The charges were contained in a grand jury indictment unsealed in court. It is alleged that he had and sold heroin within the county in mid-May and that he had and sold a controlled drug used to treat opiate addiction in early May. He pleaded not guilty to the charges and was sent to the PSB on $10,000 bail.

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